LOCKED TO viliorate

[sadisticwarfare]

[Profits have been way down in the last three months, and if things keep going this way, they won't last another three. Archer has the papers out in front of him, scouring everything to see where he can make cuts, yet again. He knows no one's going to be pleased, but they're going to have to remove another act. He's been told that cutting people from the circus is like throwing out a family member, but the fact of the matter is that the money he's making won't support everyone. It's not as though Archer is hoarding all the money for himself - though he's not exactly as generous to the others as he could be - but he's never really felt like part of the circus "family". They're the family members, he's the landlord.

Archer twirls his pen between his fingers as he examines the numbers again, finally selecting a couple of sheets with acts that he could possibly cut. He'll have to get Kimbley to look over them before he makes a final decision. Kimbley isn't his partner or his adviser, but Kimbley is his friend, and he'd rather have a second opinion on all this.]

Comments

[viliorate]

[...Like this is a complete shock. It's not like Kimbley is any better, though.

He's not nearly as angry as he was earlier when he finally crawls into bed.

Are you too mad for cuddles? Because that's about the only way he knows how to apologize.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[...No, he's not too mad for cuddles; he's never too mad for cuddles. Archer doesn't hesitate for long and leans into Kimbley's touch, sliding his arms around the other man's back.]

I apologize for snapping at you.

[At least there's that?]

[viliorate]

[He smiles against the touch, one hand moving so he can brush his fingers through Archer's hair.]

It's fine. I...

...you'll think of something, right?

[sadisticwarfare]

[Archer makes a soft, pleased noise at that.]

I always do.

[Admittedly it's usually not a great decision for everyone else, but he's managed to keep them from failing completely so far. That's got to count for something, right?]

[viliorate]

[If Kimbley really had a problem with the selfish decisions, he wouldn't have stayed with Archer for nearly a decade.]

You're so good to me.

[sadisticwarfare]

It wouldn't do to upset you too badly, now would it?

[He smirks at that, but the expression is gentle and obviously teasing.]

[viliorate]

[...Jerk.

But he doesn't mind.]

You remember how we met, right?

[And how much of a shit Kimbley was...]

[sadisticwarfare]

Mm, of course. I do like hearing you tell it though.

[Kimbley has always been good at telling interesting stories that keep Archer's attention.]

[viliorate]

I thought you were out of your mind.

Here I am, discharged from the army because of a stupid injury and in need of money. So I pick you and not only do I get humiliated in public with how quickly you managed to restrain me, but then you offer me a job right there.

At the time I thought I'd be better off in jail than working for the man I failed to rob, but you insisted. You're a crazy bastard, Frank Archer.

[sadisticwarfare]

You're interesting. I thought I could at least use you as a janitor, but you've been much more useful than that. I'm pleased you picked me to target or we never would have met.

[viliorate]

[And then they started dating in secret, which has to be pretty high on the list of stupid things people can do.]

It felt a little like fate, to tell you the truth.

[sadisticwarfare]

[They aren't exactly the brightest...]

I don't know if I believe in fate, but this is certainly something that I never would have expected. I don't know how things would be different, but I do know that I wouldn't be as happy without you in my life.

[viliorate]

I thought you were a pretentious snob.

[...]

You are a pretentious snob. But you're my snob.

[Sorry, did you think you were getting out of this without being teased?]

[sadisticwarfare]

I'm not that pretentious...!

[There's no denying the snob part though.]

[viliorate]

[At least they're not angry with each other anymore.]

I don't know, I'd say you're pretty bad.

[sadisticwarfare]

[It never really takes them that long to recover from a fight.]

I am not!

[He totally is.]

[viliorate]

Come on, don't get embarrassed. It doesn't suit you.

[Smile, smile.]

[sadisticwarfare]

I'm not embarrassed either.

[Only he really is.]

[viliorate]

[This is where he would really act like a shit and say goodnight and pretend to be asleep but he doesn't do that.]

Mhm.

I'm sure.

[sadisticwarfare]

Of course not. Don't assume things.

[He's kind of smirking now though.]

[viliorate]

My bad. Sometimes I just say things. You know how I am.

[sadisticwarfare]

I wouldn't have you any other way.

[viliorate]

Of course not. You might get bored and we can't have that.

...good night, Archer.

[sadisticwarfare]

Of course not. Goodnight.

[If you think he's letting go though...]

[viliorate]

[...you'd think he'd be used to this by now but he's still not.

That being said he's not going to pull away from Archer unless it gets too hot.]